Anonymous attacks throughout the years

By John-Henry Perera

on October 16, 2013 11:07 AM

Photo: DANIEL ROLAND

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Anonymous attacks through the years

Anonymous attacks through the years

The loosely affiliated hacking collective Anonymous is well known for their "ops" and "raids" on government, corporate and religious websites. Some believe them to be malicious trolls and others call them digital Robin Hoods. See some of the notable attacks Anonymous has conducted over the years. less

Anonymous attacks through the years

The loosely affiliated hacking collective Anonymous is well known for their "ops" and "raids" on government, corporate and religious websites. Some believe them to be ... more

Photo: DANIEL ROLAND

Anonymous attacks through the years The loosely... Photo-1720758.72187 - Houston Chronicle

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Steubenville, Ohio

Prior to Maryville, Anonymous had a large part to play in the viral spread of the Steubenville, Ohio rape case. A 16-year-old girl was raped by high school football players. That rape was then documented on social media. The group and others sought justice for the victim by publishing photos of that night on the Internet.

Prior to Maryville, Anonymous had a large part to play in the viral spread of the Steubenville, Ohio rape case. A 16-year-old girl was raped by high school football players. That rape was then documented on ... more

Photo: Lisa DeJong, Associated Press

Prior to Maryville, Anonymous had a large part to play in the viral... Photo-4352864.72187 - Houston Chronicle

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Habbo Hotel

Anonymous targeted Habbo in 2006. Anon members signed up for the service and blocked entry to a virtual pool, sparking the infamous "Pool's closed" meme.

Anonymous targeted Habbo in 2006. Anon members signed up for the... Photo-4825793.72187 - Houston Chronicle

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Hal Turner

Anonymous members targeted white supremacist radio host Hal Turner in 2006-07 by taking his website offline. Turner attempted to sue several websites where Anon members congregate, including 4chan and 9gag, but to no avail.

Anonymous members targeted white supremacist radio host Hal Turner in 2006-07 by taking his website offline. Turner attempted to sue several websites where Anon members congregate, including 4chan and 9gag, but ... more

In 2008, Anonymous launched "Project Chanology" just after a video interview of actor/Scientologist Tom Cruise leaked on the Internet. The hacking collective accused the church of imprisoning its members and initiated numerous denial-of-service attacks, prank calls and physical protests.

In 2008, Anonymous launched "Project Chanology" just after a video interview of actor/Scientologist Tom Cruise leaked on the Internet. The hacking collective accused the church of imprisoning its members and ... more

In 2010, Anonymous launched Operation Payback against several organizations who they believed were critical or actively detrimental to WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy website. Mastercard, Visa and the Motion Picture Industry of America were just some of the targets.

In 2010, Anonymous launched Operation Payback against several organizations who they believed were critical or actively detrimental to WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy website. Mastercard, Visa and the Motion ... more

In 2011, some members of Anonymous hacked Sony's PlayStation... Photo-1813673.72187 - Houston Chronicle

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Westboro Baptist Church

In 2012, the Westboro Baptist Church announced plans to picket the funerals of those slain in the Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting. In response, Anonymous grabbed their personal information and published it online.

In 2012, the Westboro Baptist Church announced plans to picket the funerals of those slain in the Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting. In response, Anonymous grabbed their personal information and published it ... more

In 2012, the Westboro Baptist Church announced plans to picket the... Photo-4554154.72187 - Houston Chronicle

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Megaupload

When the entertainment industry and government agencies banded together to take down filesharing site Megaupload, Anonymous retaliated by DDOSing several websites, including the US Department of Justice, the MPAA and Universal Music.

When the entertainment industry and government agencies banded together to take down filesharing site Megaupload, Anonymous retaliated by DDOSing several websites, including the US Department of Justice, the ... more

Photo: Brett Phibbs

When the entertainment industry and government agencies banded... Photo-3578340.72187 - Houston Chronicle

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North Korea

Anonymous has targeted North Korea twice in 2013. The first time around, the group seized control of the country's Twitter and Flickr accounts. Later, it threatened to have had access to personal information on government officials and other data, but that has yet to be seen.

Anonymous has targeted North Korea twice in 2013. The first time around, the group seized control of the country's Twitter and Flickr accounts. Later, it threatened to have had access to personal information on ... more

Photo: Ed Jones, AFP/Getty Images

Anonymous has targeted North Korea twice in 2013. The first time... Photo-4970269.72187 - Houston Chronicle